DC Chandigarh Directs Private Schools to Ensure Student Safety, Strict Compliance with STRAPS and Parking Norms

The Voice of Chandigarh 

The Deputy Commissioner (DC), Nishant Kumar Yadav chaired a meeting with representatives of private school managements in the city to review critical issues concerning student safety, school transport management, utilisation of parking areas, compliance with sanctioned building plans, and implementation of the STRAPS (Safe Transportation Policy for Students).

During the meeting, all private schools were directed to ensure that boarding and deboarding of students takes place strictly within school premises in a safe and orderly manner under proper supervision of trained staff to avoid any untoward incident.

The DC also took serious note of misuse of designated parking spaces in several schools. It was observed that parking areas approved in sanctioned building plans had been diverted for other purposes such as lawns, playgrounds, swimming pools, guard rooms and sheds. School managements were categorically instructed to use these areas exclusively for parking of school buses and vehicles, and not for any other purpose.

Strict directions were also issued to ensure adherence to sanctioned building plans. The Deputy Commissioner cautioned that any unauthorised construction, deviation or misuse of approved layouts would be treated as a serious violation and legal action would be initiated as per applicable laws.

Further, all private schools were directed to implement the STRAPS policy in letter and spirit without delay. The policy lays down comprehensive safety guidelines for transportation of students and compliance has been made mandatory for all schools.

The Deputy Commissioner made it clear that violations related to student safety, parking norms or building plan compliance would not be tolerated. Schools were instructed to acknowledge the directions issued during the meeting and rectify all violations, if any, during the ongoing summer vacations.

The District Administration, Chandigarh, will conduct regular inspections after the reopening of schools, and any instance of non-compliance will invite strict punitive action without further notice.